Porous earthenware product with strengthening-cores



(No Model.)

0. C. GILMAN.

roaous BARTHENWAEE PRODUGT WITH STRENGTHENING corms.

No. 349,585. Patented Sept. 21, 1886.

Wes/Z Jay-1611 2571 UNITED STATES PATENT QEETcE.

CHARLES CARROLL GILMAN, or ELIDIORA, IOWA.

POROUS EARTHENWARE PRODUCT Vl/ITH STRENGIHENING-CORES.

PECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 349,585, dated September 21, 1886.

Application filed June 21, 1386. Serial No. 205,806. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, CHARLES CARROLL GIL- MAN, of Eldora, Hardin county, Iowa, have invented a new and useful Porous Earthenware Product with Strengthening-Cores, of which the following is a specification.

The object of this invention is toproduce a new article of manufacture to be used for building purposes.

It consists of the burned product of earthy and vegetable mixtures strengthened by iron rods or cores closely united to the same, substantially as hereinafter described.

By the addition of fibrous vegetable matters to plastic clay mixtures a burned product of considerable length as, for instance, ten or twelve feet-has been obtained; but the process of firing destroys the fibers, and the burned product is not able to withstand great transverse strains. This defect I remedy by strengthening the product as follows: In molding to form plastic mixtures of earthy and vegetable matters with presses of expression I so arrange the die in and through which they pass that one or more longitudinal holes of given size are produced in or about the center of the column. Subsequent to firing I fill the hole or holes with molten iron or steel. The earthenware product, by reason of its porosity, affords an anchorage for the'molten material, which, when cooled, forms an embedded rod .or core closely united to the product, was to partake of its movement and not be independent of it when subjected to strain. In this way the cores take up any strain, which they would not do if simply inserted in holes in the material. Should the strength required of' the product be so great that the metal core from its size renders the splitting of the earthenware caselikely by reason of its weight or expansion when in a molten state, or if for purposes of attachment protruding ends or other form of construction is desired, or wrought metal be preferable to cast, a wroughtmetal rod of desirable form, solid or hollow, and smaller than the longitudinal hole, may be inserted therein and securely fastened to place by pouring into the hole around it molten metal of any sort, or even melted brimstone, asphaltum, or other matter which be comes rigid when cool, the object sought being to solidly embed the rod beyond the possibility of its moving independently of its surroundings. Its inclination to bend under a weight is thus defeated, whereas if an iron rod be ever so closely inserted in a material without this binding it will bend and draw under strain and soon wear itself loose. The earthenware product, by reason of its porosity, affords an anchorage for molten material. For some uses, to obtain the same result-z. e., to overcome its disposition to twist loose in turning-other forms than cylindrical should be used.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a view of a column with parts broken away. Fig. 2 is a cross-section thereof. 4

A represents a block of terra-cotta lumber strengthened by means of iron rods or cores a, embedded therein. In this instance the material is shown in the form of a column in one piece with two cores; but a single core may be used, or any number. The column or other similar structure may, however, be formed of a number of pieces united in any suitable manner. The material in which the rods are embedded is an excellent non-conductor of heat and cold, and will not crack, like ordinary terra-cotta, when subjected to the action of heat and water. With the strengtheningcores it forms an excellent material for building purposes to form girders, arches, floors, walls, and in all locations where a strong and light building material is required. It may be prepared for the market and for transportation in different shapes and sizes.

I am aware that it is not new to insert rods of wire in fire-brick and stove-linings, and such I do not .claim.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. As an article of manufacture, a burned earthenware product obtained from a mixture of earthy and vegetable. matters, and having an iron core or coresheld therein and engaging the pores of the material, substantially as described.

2. As an article of manufacture, a burned earthenware product obtained from a mixture In testimony whereof I have hereunto sub- 10 of earthy and vegetable matters and strength scribed my name. ened by an iron rod or rods closely united thereto, in a manner substantially as described. CHARLES CARROLL G'ILMAN.

5 3. Acolumn or girder consisting of aburned earthenware product obtained from a mixture Vitnesses: of earthen and vegetable matters, having one F. A. DOOLITTLE,

or more strengthening-cores united to the ma A. T. BATES. terial by casting, substantially as described. 

